Putting Candy in the Medicine

June 4, 2014

Putting Candy in the Medicine

Importance of Youth Leadership

When asked the question, what
does your generation offer to the movement? Some of the Young Educators
Alliance (YEA) leaders responded with disdain for the word generation. Shaw King, age 21, said, “That is division. That
question answers itself. We are the future. We are the movement. It’s
inevitable.” As the future of a drastically changing climate, I believe that it
is critical to nurture youth leadership inclusively and without division.
However, as King pointed out, “We are the future” and with that power our young
people are inevitably gifted with the opportunity to make change. Romanne Griffith, age 19,
said, “We have unlimited and ultimate potential. We can either be the
downfall or the complete upbringing.” Romanne’s words carry vast significance
and wisdom. When youth leadership like that of YEA is concentrated on positive,
sustainable objectives without division, the possibilities to alter current
trajectories are endless.

As leaders of the Our Power
Detroit gathering, I asked YEA to name a challenge in the Our Power Planning
process. Khafre Sims Bey, age 15, said,
“The challenge is to stay
original; make our conference different than other conferences. Just trying to
set ourselves apart.” Setting themselves apart is an understatement. YEA is
defying the stereotypes set upon Detroit through advocacy, education, and
hip-hop. Shabrin Salam, age 18, believes that “YEA collectively accomplishes
success through the power of music and experience.”

When asked to name an
opportunity in the Our Power Planning process, YEA gave me an answer that
inspired the name of this article, Putting Candy in the Medicine. Khafre Sims Bey, age 15, said, “An opportunity is dropping
the mix tape. When you can take something
as raw and as gritty and as real as gentrification and put it to a beat and a rhyme,
then people will connect with that. I’m putting it in a rap and making you nod
your head to it. That’s like putting candy in the medicine.” Do I need to say
more? Khafre hit the nail on the head. The beauty and importance of youth
leadership is that it comes in a variety of mediums. One of which showcases
artists who have a passion, who have a message, who have a difference to make.

Ultimately, youth leadership
is important not only because it is inevitable, but also because the young
people bring a fresh, raw energy to old, dirty problems. Khafre exquisitely
articulates that YEA’s fresh, raw energy is manifested through hip hop, “This
medium that we chose as hip hop is something so relatable, something so
universal that everybody will walk away with an understanding of all these
issues.”

Submitted by Brittany AnsteadUniversity of Michigan, Arts and Citizenship Intern